Medical procedure drape

ABSTRACT

A medical procedure drape, for use during a diagnostic and theraputic procedures performed on a patient supported by a patient cart, including a cover and a holder for the endoscope. The cover superimposes a portion of the patient and a portion of the patient cart. The endoscope holder is fixed to a boundry of the cover and extends above the level of the patient support surface on the patient cart. The endoscope holder retains and supports the endoscope during insertion and at other such times that the endoscopist may wish set the endoscope aside to perform other tasks.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,538, issued Nov. 19, 1985, for ENDOSCOPIC PILLOW COVERING WITH HIGH ABSORBENCY CHARACTERISTICS, by Stephen Rafelson, included by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for use during a medical procedure and more particularity to a medical procedure drape for use during a medical procedure including esophagogastroduodenoscopy, with or without biopsy, polypectomy, esophageal dilatation, endoscopic photography, endoscopic ultrasound, fulgeration, coagulation, variceal injection or banding, stent placement, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD) is a commonly used examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract employing a flexible fiberoptic endoscope. Other versions of the flexible Upper GI Endoscope are available for examination of the small intestine (enteroscopy), performing ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiography), esopahgeal and mediastinal ultrasonography. The basic instrument is 100 centimeters in length and is controlled by a handpiece that utilizes dials for altering the direction of the tip of the endoscope, and valves for controlling suction and air and water insufflation. An umbilical connects the handpiece of the instrument to a tower of electromechanical modules supplying suction, airflow, and water. An electronics package connected to the endoscope controls light and photography functions. The endoscope has an operating channel allowing the endoscopist to take biopsies and remove tissue from within the upper gastrointestinal tract.

The patient is brought to the endoscopy suite and the posterior oral pharynx is anesthetized with a topical anesthetic either swallowed or sprayed into the appropriate area. The patient is placed in the left lateral position with the head supported on a pillow. The patient is sedated or anesthetized with one of a variety of injectable agents administered in the intravenous access site. An appropriate drape is applied to the patient cart and to the patient in order to protect the patient, the environment, and the operator from any secretions from the upper GI tract during the procedure. An oral-pharyngeal suction cannula is available for assistance in keeping the mouth and the pharynx clear of secretions. The endoscope is brought up into the field and a bite block is used, if necessary, to prevent the patient from inadvertently biting the endoscope. The bite block is either placed between the incisors or placed on the shank of the endoscope for insertion between the incisors after the endoscope is placed in the esophagus. While the working end of the endoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus an assistant may hold the handpiece of the endoscope at the upper corner of the patient cart near the face of the patient, or the handpiece could be placed on the cart.

The problem arises that this employs the use of personnel who could be used elsewhere in the room to assist with other tasks. Placing the endoscope on the corner of the pillow or the patient cart can result in the endoscope sliding off of the cart and falling onto the floor while the endoscopist's attention is directed to the insertion of the endoscope into the patient's esophagus. Inadequate draping materials and methods frequently result in soiling and contamination of the patient, the patient cart, the endoscopist, and the endoscopy suite.

There is no specific item available to cover and protect the patient and the patient cart. Current practice consists of draping the patient with a disposable, movable plastic drape or a washable towel that is not impermeable to liquids. There is no specific item available to assist in managing the endoscope before, during, and after the endoscopy.

Soiling and contamination of the patient, the patient cart, the endoscopist, and the endoscopy suite environment can easily result without appropriate and adequate draping materials and methods. Clean-up is prolonged and timely transfer of the patient from the endoscopy suite is delayed by soiling and contamination. The utility and security of the endoscope is compromised by the lack of a secure holder for the endoscope during various stages of the procedure.

It is therefore an object of the invention to control secretions and eliminate soiling and contamination of the patient, the patient cart, the endoscopist, and the environment.

It is another object of the invention to support and protect the endoscope at various times during the procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a medical procedure drape, for use during a diagnostic and possibly theraputic procedure performed on a patient supported by a patient cart, including a cover and a holder for the endoscope. The cover superimposes a portion of the patient and a portion of the patient cart. The endoscope holder is fixed to a boundry of the cover and extends above the level of the patient support surface on the patient cart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient positioned on the mattress of the patient cart ready to undergo an upper gi endoscopy with the flexible fiberoptic endoscope retained the endoscope holder;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a patient cart with the cover of the medical procedure drape and the endoscope holder;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a medical procedure drape including the cover and the endoscope holder;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a cover of a medical procedure drape in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an endoscope holder of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a medical procedure drape of FIG. 4 fixed to the endoscope holder of FIG. 5.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient 10 positioned on the mattress of the patient cart 12 ready to undergo an upper GI endoscopy with the flexible fiberoptic endoscope 28 retained the endoscope holder 18.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the patient cart 50 with the cover of the medical procedure drape 20 and the endoscope holder 18.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the medical procedure drape 16 and the endoscope holder 18.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the medical procedure drape 16 in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the endoscope holder 18 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the medical procedure drape 16 of FIG. 4 fixed to the endoscope holder 18 of FIG. 5.

The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a medical procedure drape 16 including a cover and an endoscope holder 18. During the procedure the patient 10 is sedated or anesthetized with intravenously administered medication while also having a topically applied anesthetic to the posterior oral pharynx. This may be accomplished by either swallowing a viscous liquid, or spraying a topical anesthetic directly on the mucosal surfaces of the posterior oral pharynx. The patient 10 is positioned on the patient cart 50 in the left lateral decubitus position with the head on a supportive pillow. The airway is protected by proper positioning to allow unobstructed spontaneous respiration and adequate pulmonary function.

The medical procedure drape 16 is positioned such that the cover of the medical procedure drape 20 will have the cephalad portion of the cover 22 superimpose the supportive pillow, while the caudal portion of the cover 24 superimposes the neck, chest, and arms of the patient 10. A free flap of the cover 26 hangs over the side of the mattress of the patient cart 12. The attached endoscope holder 18 is positioned so that the horizontal member 42 of the endoscope holder 18 is introduced between the mattress of the patient cart 12 and the deck of the patient cart 14. The vertical member 40 of the endoscope holder 18 is aligned with the side of the mattress of the patient cart 12.

The flexible fiberoptic endoscope 28 is positioned with the controlling handpiece of the endoscope 32 on the patient 10 side of the endoscope holder 18, having the umbilical of the endoscope 34 lying in the notch 48 of the endoscope holder 18. The working end of the endoscope 30 is lying on the cover of the medical procedure drape 20, on the horizontal surface of the mattress of the patient cart 12. This positions the working end of the endoscope 30 for manual insertion into the oral pharynx and esophagus of the patient 10. The endoscope holder 18 allows the endoscopist to utilize both hands for the insertion of the flexible fiberoptic endoscope 28 without the possibility of the controlling handpiece of the endoscope 32 falling off of the patient cart 50 and sustaining damage.

The endoscopist and the medical equipment cart containing light source, camera, suction, and air and water supplies are not depicted for clarity, and to demonstrate the detail and position of the medical procedure drape 16, the patient 10, and the patient cart 50.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medical procedure drape 16, including the cover of the medical procedure drape 20 overlying the mattress of the patient cart 12, and the endoscope holder 18 inserted in position between the mattress of the patient cart 12 and the deck of the patient cart 14. The cephalad portion of the cover 22, the caudal portion of the cover 24, and the free flap of the cover 26 are demonstrated here. The relationship of the endoscope holder 18 and its location between the mattress of the patient cart 12 and the deck of the patient cart 14 are depicted. The patient 10, the flexible fiberoptic endoscope 28, and the pillow are omitted from this figure to depict the detail of this embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the medical procedure drape 16 including the cover of the medical procedure drape 20 and the endoscope holder 18. The cephalad of the cover used to superimpose the pillow is seen directly opposite the endoscope holder 18. The free flap of the cover 26 is the portion of the cover of the medical procedure drape 20 which hangs vertically over the edge of the mattress of the patient cart 12, thus protecting the patient cart 50. The caudal portion of the cover 24 superimposes the chest and arms of the patient 10 and a portion of the patient cart 50. An adhesive strip with peel-off paper backing 38 is located on the reverse side of the cover of the medical procedure drape 20 to cause the cover to adhere to the patient's chest and right arm.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cover of the medical procedure drape 20. The cover of the medical procedure drape 20 has an obverse side seen in this figure and a reverse side. It is constructed of a synthetic fabric which is flexible and impervious to liquids. Once again, as in FIG. 3, the cephalad portion of the cover 22, the caudal portion of the cover 24, and the free flap of the cover 26 are shown. The shaded portion is a flap of the cephalad of the cover and is to accommodate adhesive attachment to the endoscope holder 18 as in FIG. 3.

On the reverse side of the cover of the medical procedure drape 20 is an adhesive strip with peel-off paper backing 38 to attach the caudal portion of the cover 24 to the patient 10.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the endoscope holder 18. The endoscope holder 18 can be constructed of rigid plastic, solid or corrugated cardboard. It is made up of two members, a vertical member 40 and a horizontal member 42. They are joined by a hinge 44 which may be made of the same material as the rigid members, or may be constructed of a flexible fabric. The hinge 44 allows the endoscope holder 18 to be folded flat, like a book, when closed. The motion is constrained, when fully open, to a right angle configuration by a gusset 46 at each end of the endoscope holder 18. The gusset 46 is constructed from a flexible fabric or tape material, adherent to each member.

The vertical member 40 has a notch 48 along the superior edge. It is shaped to accommodate the flexible fiberoptic endoscope 28 as depicted in FIG. 1. The caudal end of the endoscope holder 18 is tapered to a dimension approximating the thickness of the mattress of the patient cart 12.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. A medical procedure drape for esophagogastroduodenoscopy and other forms of upper gastrointestinal examination, comprising: means for protecting the environment from contamination and soiling; means for holding the endoscope securely during insertion of the endoscope, intimately coupled to said means for protecting the environment from contamination and soiling, means for covering and protecting the patient and the patient cart, intimately coupled to said means for protecting the environment from contamination and soiling; means for covering the supportive pillow and the patient cart, intimately coupled to said means for covering and protecting the patient and the patient cart; means for covering and protecting the caudal portion of the patient and the patient cart, intimately coupled to said means for covering and protecting the patient and the patient cart; means for protecting the side of the mattress and the deck of the patient cart, intimately coupled to said means for covering and protecting the patient and the patient cart; means for adhering the cover to the endoscope holder, intimately connected to said means for covering and protecting the patient and the patient cart, and adhesively connected to said means for holding the endoscope securely during insertion of the endoscope; means for attaching the caudal portion of the cover to the patient, adhesively attached to said means for covering and protecting the caudal portion of the patient and the patient cart; means for retaining the endoscope in a secure position, integrally connected to said means for holding the endoscope securely during insertion of the endoscope; means for securing the endoscope holder to the patient cart, integrally connected to said means for holding the endoscope securely during insertion of the endoscope; means for allowing the endoscope holder to fold flat or to assume a right-angle, open position, flexibly connected to said means for securing the endoscope holder to the patient cart, and flexibly connected to said means for retaining the endoscope in a secure position; means for constraining the endoscope holder when in the open position, securely connected to said means for securing the endoscope holder to the patient cart, and securely connected to said means for retaining the endoscope in a secure position; and means for accomodation of endoscope, integrally placed to said means for retaining the endoscope in a secure position.
 2. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for protecting the environment from contamination and soiling comprises a medical procedure drape.
 3. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for holding the endoscope securely during insertion of the endoscope comprises a rigid endoscope holder.
 4. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for covering and protecting the patient and the patient cart comprises an impervious, flexible cover of the medical procedure drape.
 5. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for covering the supportive pillow and the patient cart comprises a cephalad portion of the cover.
 6. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for covering and protecting the caudal portion of the patient and the patient cart comprises a caudal portion of the cover.
 7. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for protecting the side of the mattress and the deck of the patient cart comprises a free flap of the cover.
 8. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for adhering the cover to the endoscope holder comprises a flap for adhesion to the endoscope holder.
 9. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching the caudal portion of the cover to the patient comprises a sticky adhesive strip with peel-off paper backing.
 10. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for retaining the endoscope in a secure position comprises a rigid vertical member.
 11. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securing the endoscope holder to the patient cart comprises a rigid horizontal member.
 12. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for allowing the endoscope holder to fold flat or to assume a right-angle, open position comprises a folding, flexible hinge.
 13. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for constraining the endoscope holder when in the open position comprises a gusset.
 14. The medical procedure drape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for accomodation of endoscope comprises a notch. 